Within you is a heart of a champion. Your heart is waiting for you to set the spark to light its fire. What kind of champion will you be? If you try, try, and try again in the face of resistance, failure, and ridicule you’ll have proved yourself worthy. More than fame and fortune, a heart afire and refusing to quit is the mark of a true champion. You have that kind of heart.
Life is precious, not to be wasted. When we use the gifts our Creator gave to us we may inspire others, heal others, bring joy to others, the possibilities are limitless. You have unlimited possibilities. Discover them, cultivate them, and one day you’ll bring your awesome gifts to others just as Eliud Kipchoge is bringing his gift of running marathons to us.
M. Scott Peck wrote, “Life is difficult.” At times, one might wish life were only difficult with the burdens it places upon us. It often feels much worse. No one is immune from life’s challenges. When life’s challenges shake us to the core, our DNA waits for the green light to push the resilience button. The bounce back button. The shake it off, get up, and get going button. The following YouTube video will inspire you to push your resilience button.
An irony of life is that often it is in our brokenness where we discover life’s goodness. It is as if our suffering becomes a teacher of life’s great lessons. In the following YouTube video, a soldier suffering from PTSD and a service dog come together to tell a beautiful story.
I’ve always liked sports. I enjoyed the competition, comradery, and the discipline participation taught me. The athletes who participate in sporting events often offer great metaphors for us. In the following YouTube video, the athlete could have easily quit, no one would have noticed except her teammates. She could have given less than full effort. Instead, her 110% effort becomes our metaphor to never quit, no matter how dire the circumstances. The only time failure is certain is when we quit. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Give it all you’ve got.
How many times have you felt like giving up? The dream, which once grabbed hold of your heart, lost its pull on you and faded away like the morning dew. Hold on to the dream. Hold it tight with both hands. Hold it so tight that even the jaws of life couldn’t pry it loose from you. The following YouTube video illustrates how never quitting, never giving up, and giving it our best every second turns a seeming defeat into triumph.
Yes You Can
Do you need a mental toughness pick me up today? Jim Abbot is about to serve you up a healthy dose of a never quit, mental toughness attitude. Jim Abbot was born with no right hand. His dream was to become a pitcher in the major leagues. Watch the YouTube video and get ready for a large dose of YES I CAN!
President Kennedy said, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” His words echo Tony Melendez life. You and I have faced tough times. I’ve faced it with a good mind, a healthy body, and a loving family. Tony Melendez faced life without arms. Yet, he learned to play the guitar and sing well enough to play for Pope John Paul II. Here is his inspirational performance.
I wish life were easy. It’s not. We’re constantly faced with challenges, some of them seemingly overwhelming. What separates those who survive and thrive from others is their willingness to face adversity and never, ever quit. It was that spirit of never quitting in spite of an overwhelming adversity that I found in this YouTube video. I hope it encourages you to fight on and never quit.
Every day is a great day. “What a minute, Ray. You don’t a bad day? Are you on work release from a rehab center?”
“What a minute, Ray. You don’t have a bad day? Are you on work release from a rehab center?”
“I’m serious, every day is a great day. Every day you can find to give you a bit joy, a touch of happiness, a hint of love. Put it together and you had a great day.”
“What about when everything goes wrong. I mean everything goes wrong.
“I see I’m dealing with a cynic. I’m dealing with a dude who’s bent over, cramped up, looks like he waiting curbside for the mortuary van. “Come on, let me see the edges turn up. When was the last time you smiled? Sing it buster.”
“There’s nothing to smile about. You watch the news? You read the online blogs? You follow politics, terror, crime.”
“I know the problem. If I know the problem. I can suggest an antidote. Don’t delay, your life hangs in the balance.”
“Hey tone it down a bit. I can hear you.”
“You kidding me. It’s a great day and tomorrow has all the making of an even better day. And, I’m FDA approved.”
“Are you dangerous? Or, simple minded?”
“I’m neither depressed dude. Here’s the deal. It’s your diet. Plan and simple. I’m putting you on a one month diet. It’s rough. You’re going cold turkey. Actually, cold turkey is better than turkey left out on the cabinet for a week.”
“I’m suffering enough. How much longer do I have to listen to you?”
“I’m doing the writing, so you’ll have to hang around as long as I want you to hang around.”
“Let’s get it over so I can rest.”
“No listening to cable news shows. No listening to the talking heads who think they have every answer. Watch the comedy channel. Read inspiring books. Take extended walks in nature. Meet every one of your neighbors. And, most importantly, do two kind acts a day. Do it all for a month and you’ll be The dude, not a depressed dude.”
“Do I have to?”
“Afraid so. If you don’t, I’ll bring you back in the next blog.”
“I’m on it.”
